Snap dies

Abstract

A device is disclosed for attaching a snap fastener having a first and a second snap fastener portion to a material. The device is adapted for use with pliers having a first and a second plier jaw. The invention comprises a first and a second support capable of mounting on the first and the second plier jaw. First and second threaded fasteners respectively secure the first and second supports to the first and second plier jaws. A first die insert includes a projection for locating the first snap fastener portion of the snap fastener relative to the first die insert. A second die insert including internal resilient means locates the second snap fastener portion of the snap fastener relative to the second die insert. First and second apertures are located in the first and second supports for respectively receiving the first and second die inserts. The material is interposed between the first and the second die inserts when the first and second plier jaws are in an open position to attach the first and second snap fastener portions to the material when the first and second plier jaws are moved to the closed position.

We claim: 
     
       1. A device for attaching a snap fastener having a first and a second snap fastener portion to a material, the device being adapted for use with pliers, having a first and a second plier jaw, comprising in combination: a first and a second support unit capable of mounting to the first and the second plier jaws, respectively;   first and second threaded fastening means for respectively securing said first and said second support units to the first and the second plier jaws;   first die insert means including a projection for locating the first snap fastener portion of the snap fastener relative to said first die insert means;   second die insert means including internal resilient means for locating the second snap fastener portion of the snap fastener relative to said second die insert means; and   first and second aperture means in said first and said second support units for respectively receiving said first and said second die insert means enabling the materal to be interposed between said first and said second die insert means when the first and the second plier jaws are in an open position and for attaching the first and the second snap fastener portions to the material when the first and the second plier jaws are moved to a closed position.   
     
     
       2. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and said second die insert means are selected from a substantially harder material than said first and second support units. 
     
     
       3. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said first and said second support units includes a leg portion extending along opposed sides of the first and second plier jaws; and said first and said second aperture means being adjacent to the working surface of the first and the second plier jaws, respectively.   
     
     
       4. A device as set forth in claim 3, wherein said first and said second threaded fastening means includes a threaded screw extending through each of said leg portions to contact the opposed sides of each of the first and the second plier jaws. 
     
     
       5. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said first and second support units includes a substantially cylindrical region adjacent to the working surface of the first and the second plier jaws, respectively; and plural leg portions extending from each of said substantially cylindrical regions for cooperation with opposed side surfaces of each of the first and the second plier jaws.   
     
     
       6. A device as set forth in claim 5, wherein each of said leg portions includes a partially cylindrical configuration having a cylindrical diameter commensurate with the cylindrical diameter of said cylindrical region. 
     
     
       7. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second die insert means includes a wall defining a recess in said second die insert means; and groove means extending into said wall of said recess for only partially receiving said resilient means therein.   
     
     
       8. A device as set forth in claim 7, wherein said resilient means includes O-ring means. 
     
     
       9. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said plier jaws includes a jaw support and an enlarged jaw lip; said jaw support having opposed external jaw support surfaces;   said enlarge jaw lip having a working surface and opposed external jaw lip surfaces;   each of said support units having plural leg portions for simultaneously contacting said opposed external jaw lip surfaces; and   each of said first and second threaded fastening means including threaded fasteners threadably extending through said leg portions for simultaneously engaging said opposed external jaw support surfaces.   
     
     
       10. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and said second die insert means are substantially harder than said first and second support units; said first and second aperture means being through apertures enabling said first and second die insert means to directly contact the first and second plier jaws respectively to apply the plier jaw pressure only through said first and second die insert means to the first and second snap fastener portions.